Traveling with children

After the first day, traveling with children can make you feel like you’re drowning in a mudslide...slowly and with no way out. However, take it from an expert, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Here’s how to make your next trip one to remember!

Children of all ages have short attention spans. That’s just a fact of life. Deal with it by keeping their attention--as long as you can--on items that interest them. Road games such as Alphabet, where you seek out letters of the alphabet on license plates, store signs and billboards; 50 States, finding license plates from different states; Padiddles, being the first to see a car with one headlight and being the first to say “Padiddles!”, and other games, are sure to amuse your youngster. There also is the “Semi-Beep-The-Horn Signal,” which everyone loves–even the truck driver.

Counting objects also is a fun pastime for children. Counting red pick-up trucks, or green vehicles of any type, or only police cars, can be both educational and entertaining for children. The key is whether you want to be stuck counting...because they’ll want you to participate, too.

Coloring books are great fun, but make sure all crayons are kept within a tin box or zip-locked bag. Count the crayons before the trip and count again when you stop. There’s nothing worse than melted crayon on the seat or in the back window. Do not use permanent markers. The permanent makers will stain upholstery as well as fingers and faces, and everything eventually finds its way into a toddler’s mouth.

Do bring along the child’s favorite blanket, doll, stuffed animal, and/or action figure. The toy–even if it’s a race car, can be strapped in next to your child for safe-keeping, or tucked in alongside of him/her where it can be easily reached when nap time rolls around.

Speaking of nap time, most children do nap more while in a moving car, but not all children nap. Some do not sleep at all, so be prepared for both sleepers and those who remain wide-awake. Sleepers will need a pillow and cozy blanket. Though non-sleepers may not indulge in shut-eye, they still will need pillows and a cozy blanket, and quiet time.

Another way to entertain children is by leaving them to their own devices. They can and will entertain themselves. Take along various colors of dry eraser markers and let them write on the windows. The markers will easily wipe clean with a tissue. MAKE SURE THEY ARE DRY ERASE MARKERS. Also, make sure they understand the importance of “only” marking on the windows. This game can last for hours. It’s both educational and entertaining, and will expand their horizons as the creativity is allowed to flow.

Bring toys. Bring Barbie. Bring Ken. Bring at least one good and one bad action figure or other toy. That way the child will be able to interact more with the toys and incorporate role playing.

Leave noisy toys at home. A small toy duck with a cute little quack will not be cute after it’s quacked 400 times in your ear, nor do you want to hear a doll whisper “Mommy, I love you,” a thousand times before you hit the state line. Trust me, it’s not worth it. Toys that make sounds belong in wide open spaces, not in the car...never in the car.

Snacks are a must.

Healthy, nutritious snacks such as celery and carrot sticks, granola bars, grapes and orange slices, and trail mix, have their place in the car, but at times, you’ll need to resort to something a little more fun. Licorish, pretzel rods, Fruit Roll-ups, popcorn, and cookies fill the bill nicely. All snacks are messy when eaten by youngsters in the car. Be prepared with wet wipes, tissues, and a smile. After all, you knew they would be messy, and you gave them the snack.

Do not offer peanuts or gum, as children could easily choke on them in a moving vehicle.

Hand-held games are another good source of entertainment. Don’t pack games that require much movement, or one child will invariably end up hurting the child sitting next to him/her. But, do remember battery-operated games. Allow your child to enjoy some time in his/her own little world. They’ll appreciate you for allowing them to retreat under a set of headphones, and you’ll appreciate the quiet time.

Prior to the trip, visit the library or book store, and purchase a paperback, or comic, that involves something your child is passionate about. It could be a cartoon character, or a how-to book about skateboarding. At the same time, don’t forget cross-word puzzles, word searches, and Where’s Waldo books. Try not to make your child read the book their English teacher just assigned. By forcing them to do schoolwork you’ll take the fun out of their vacation. If schoolwork must be done while on vacation, remember to alternate the schoolwork with a fun book or activity.

When all else fails, sing. Children love to sing. Depending on the age of the child, start with The Wheels on the Bus and end with Bobby McGee. Don’t, however, attempt singing any of the songs that are about 100 bottles, or any other kinds of things, the wall. Those types of songs last too long. After a few verses your child will be bored with it, and realistically, how many times can you hear the same verse repeated in the cramped confines of your car before your head mysteriously begins to spin and your eyes to flash red? Uh-huh, that’s what I thought.